The prestigious Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (PBMM), a Grade 1 juvenile classic, celebrates its 37th edition this Sunday, carrying forward a rich legacy of glamour, big prize money and crowd-pulling contests. Conceived in 1990 by brothers Cyrus Poonawalla and Zavaray Poonawalla, the race was inspired by the international Cartier Million
Big Bay (Suraj Narredu up) wins the Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million (Gr 1) at the Mahalaxmi racecourse last year. Pic/RWITC
The Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million (PBMM), Gr 1, to be run this Sunday, turns 37 this year, and over the years, it has flourished given its popularity and glamour quotient.
Back in 1990, the Poonawalla brothers, Cyrus and Zavaray, dreamed up this juvenile blockbuster, inspired by the flashy Cartier Million abroad. They promised the fattest purse ever for a three-year-old winner. The first edition saw Le Gris Cheval, ridden by Bajrang Singh and trained by Ivor Fernandes, flash home to win a million rupees.
But prize money alone doesn’t make a race a household name. The real magic happened in 1993. The Poonawallas’s marketing team added a free contest — guess the first four finishers right, and drive home a new Maruti 800.
A Mumbai housewife, a total racing newbie, entered because her five-year-old daughter fell in love with a horse named Red Buttons. “Mummy, keep Red Buttons, I like the name!” the kid insisted. Mum did, and Red Buttons, trained by Rehanullah Khan, caused a stunning upset. The lady won the contest and drove off in her new wheels, making front page news the next day. Overnight, the event became dinner-table talk across Mumbai.
This year the car on offer is a Toyota Glanza. And if you’re dreaming of winning it, keep an eye on jockey Suraj Narredu. The man’s on a clean sweep — three straight PBMMs in the last three years.
In the fray will also be Trevor Patel (also with three PBMM wins) and David Allan (two wins).
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